Coming to terms with the recent death of a loved one can be stressful enough in itself, but there is so much to sort out in the days and weeks after a death, which can lead to anxiety of the unknown. So what do you need to do when preparing for a funeral and where does the Celebrant come in?
After contacting your chosen Funeral Director, they will discuss your requirements for the service, for example cremation or burial; type of venue; type of coffin; music choices; religious or non religious beliefs. At this stage, if you want a non-religious (or part-religious) service, the Funeral Director will decide whether to contact a religious minister or a celebrant. Unlike with ministers of faith, you have total control of which Celebrant you would like to conduct your service, dependant upon their availability on the correct day and time.
A good Celebrant will make arrangements for a meeting with you and any other close family members, to discuss what you would like included in the service and to gain a detailed insight into the life and character of your loved one. This can happen face to face, by video chat or by phone, depending on your preference, any time constraints and your locality.
Once the eulogy has been written, you should receive a draft copy by email, to enable you to check it for accuracy and to make any additional changes you may have remembered in the interim. Only when you are completely happy with the eulogy will the Celebrant accept it for inclusion in the service, which will also be written with in line with your requirements.